2 Jessore MPs-elect relieved of code violation charges

The Election Commission today relieved Sheikh Afil Uddin and Monirul Islam, who were elected MPs with Awami League ticket from Jessore, from the charges of violating electoral code of conduct as they sought unconditional apology.

With this, the bar in publishing their names in the official gazette has been removed.

The decision came from a meeting of the Election Commission on Sunday, said an official of the EC Secretariat.

However, the EC has not made any official announcement in this regard.

On December 30, Sheikh Afil, who was elected uncontested, allegedly instructed the party men in Jhikargachha upazila of Jessore to cast ballots time and again for Monirul Islam maintaining voter queue with 100 identical AL activists throughout the voting hours on January 5.

After Afil’s controversial speech was taped and published in different newspapers, the commission formed an electoral inquiry committee that found the allegation to be true.

And the EC show caused them as to why their candidatures would not be cancelled for violating the electoral code.

In reply, Afil and Monirul separately sent their explanations on January 15, declining the allegations as ‘completely false, imaginary and conspiratorial’.

They also claimed the tape might have been produced by electronic manipulation.

Besides, the EC also did not publish their names in the official gazette as MPs for the two constituencies.

Meanwhile, following separate writ petitions, the High Court on January 22 issued a rule asking the EC to show cause by January 29 as to why direction shall not be given to publish their names in the official gazette as MPs.